Islington Council has become one of the first town halls to sign a charter to eradicate modern slavery.

Along with Oxford, Bristol, Lambeth, Waltham Forest, Stevenage and Bassetlaw Councils, Islington signed the historic agreement – an initiative of the Co-operative Party.

Islington will now work to ensure its extensive supply chain shares its commitment to eliminate all forms of modern slavery.

Islington North MP and Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn was there to witness the signing at Islington Town Hall.

Community safety leader Cllr Andy Hull said: “Slavery in today’s society has a new face. Many of us will have passed people in the street who are living in conditions of slavery or interacted unwittingly with them in our everyday lives.

“It’s an insidious practice that can lurk behind seemingly legitimate businesses.

“Islington Council is proud to be the first local authority to sign this national charter, and we encourage other councils to do the same.”